Hunger and health among undocumented Mexican migrants in a US urban area

Objectives

To measure the occurrence and correlates of hunger and to evaluate the association between hunger and three health indicators among undocumented Mexican immigrants.

Design

Non-probability cross-sectional sample.

Setting

Neighbourhoods within New York City.

Subjects

Four hundred and thirty-one undocumented Mexican immigrants living in the USA.

Results

Hunger was indicated by approximately 28% of respondents. In a multivariate model, working as a day labourer was associated with hunger (odds ratio (OR) 3.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83–6.06) while receiving public assistance protected against hunger (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06–0.88). In multivariate models, respondents who reported experiencing hunger also reported poorer overall health (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.95–3.02) and more days of poor mental (P= 0.045) and physical health (P< 0.0001). Greater amount of time lived in the USA was also associated with worse overall health (P= 0.054) and more days of poor mental and physical health (P< 0.01).

Conclusions

The present study shows that food insecurity and hunger may be problems among undocumented migrants living in the USA. Uncertain and unpredictable work schedules and limited access to public assistance may contribute to high levels of hunger, which in turn may also negatively affect mental and physical health. Increasing amount of time lived in the USA is also associated with poorer health indicators. Programmes that provide undocumented migrants with emergency access to resources may reduce food insecurity and lead to improved health outcomes among this vulnerable population.

Access to and use of health services among undocumented Mexican immigrants in a US urban area

OBJECTIVES

We assessed access to and use of health services among Mexican-born undocumented immigrants living in New York City in 2004.

METHODS

We used venue-based sampling to recruit participants from locations where undocumented immigrants were likely to congregate. Participants were 18 years or older, born in Mexico, and current residents of New York City. The main outcome measures were health insurance coverage, access to a regular health care provider, and emergency department care.

RESULTS

In multivariable models, living in a residence with fewer other adults, linguistic acculturation, higher levels of formal income, higher levels of social support, and poor health were associated with health insurance coverage. Female gender, fewer children, arrival before 1997, higher levels of formal income, health insurance coverage, greater social support, and not reporting discrimination were associated with access to a regular health care provider. Higher levels of education, higher levels of formal income, and poor health were associated with emergency department care.

CONCLUSIONS

Absent large-scale political solutions to the challenges of undocumented immigrants, policies that address factors shown to limit access to care may improve health among this growing population.